FORGET SPIN! |
Remember back in the day when we worried about spin rates with the driver? I can remember using low-lofted drivers to keep spin rates down and prevent the ball from ballooning up in the air. In fact, the goal way back then was to launch the ball as low as you could with as much speed as you could muster. At least, that's what we thought was the key for more distance off the tee. Well, thank goodness those days are long gone. And, boy, were we wrong! Today's drivers and golf balls are designed for much higher launch angles and for less spin. Why? Simply put, if you launch the ball higher with less spin, it will carry more and land on a flatter trajectory. Now here this: When we say "less spin," that doesn't mean "no spin." Every shot you hit (even with a driver) needs backspin to lift the ball into the air. Without it, we'd hit knuckleballs that fly short distances and wobble uncontrollably in the air. For all intents and purposes, don't worry about your spin rate and instead focus on hitting drives that have a high initial launch. A clubfitter will help you rein in spin (if you have too much or too little), and sometimes adjusting what type of ball you play or shaft you use will do the trick. |